Sandusky, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Sandusky compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sandusky falls between April 19 and May 17, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 65% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 84 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Sandusky, MI
Sandusky, MI frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 16, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sandusky, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Sandusky, MI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 774 ft (236 m)).
Frost dates near Sandusky
- Snover May 2 · Oct 16
- Peck May 12 · Oct 5
- Deckerville May 2 · Oct 16
- Applegate May 4 · Oct 24
- Marlette May 2 · Oct 16
- Argyle May 2 · Oct 16
- Carsonville May 2 · Oct 16
- Decker May 7 · Oct 10
- Croswell May 4 · Oct 24
- Melvin May 12 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sandusky, MI?
The median last spring frost in Sandusky, MI is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sandusky, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Sandusky, MI?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sandusky, MI?
Sandusky, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.